Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India

Chapter 185: Video Call With Mom(new clues)

*** 23rd January 2025, Sunday morning, 7:30 AM, Rohit’s room.***

The bathroom door opened, releasing a thick cloud of steam.

Rohit stepped out with a towel draped low around his waist, droplets of water still clinging to his lean body. There was no bandage on his arm, only faint scars.

He ran a hand through his damp hair, sat before his laptop, and checked notifications.

The top notification gained his attention.

It was from lisa. [Survelliance report: 1 Video sent to inbox.]

Rohit raised a brow as he opened the surveillance footage.

The video loaded, showing Ananya and Raj caught crystal clear in a compromising act.

A wicked, satisfied grin spread across his face.

"Finally."

After days of waiting, he finally had something truly valuable in his hands.

He leaned back in his chair. "Lisa, give me a complete profile on Ananya Shri Bhirla. Maternal family, marital family, influence networks — everything relevant."

Text immediately flashed across the screen.

[Age: 43]

[Wife of the first-born heir of the Bhirla Group]

[Estimated family assets: 21 billion USD]

[Industries: Cement, Mining, Telecommunications, Textiles]

[Born into the Murugappa family]

[Estimated family assets: 8.3 billion USD]

[Industries: Agro Exports, Insurance, Industrial Supplies]

[Founder and Chairperson of Sunshine Corporation NGO]

[Estimated valuation: 45 million USD]

[Recipient of 11 regional and 3 national awards for women’s safety and empowerment]

Rohit chuckled as he read the last line. "Women’s empowerment. She’s certainly doing a wonderful job in that area."

Just then, his phone rang.

Ragini.

Video Call.

He accepted without hesitation.

Ragini appeared on the screen, seated gracefully before a dressing mirror.

She wore an elegant pink Bandhani silk saree that clung beautifully to her mature curves, the fabric draped teasingly over the swell of her breasts and hips. A few strands of her dark hair had escaped, framing her face as she tucked one behind her ear with slow fingers.

Artwork.

"Good morning honey," she said, her voice warm and elegant.

She tilted the camera slightly, giving him a better view of her deep cleavage and the graceful line of her neck.

"Well?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Now that’s a dangerous way to start the day," Rohit murmured, his gaze openly tracing her body. "Looking like that right after I’ve come out of the shower... I might need to take another one."

Ragini’s lips curved into a faint, mischievous smile. "Oh? And why would you do that?"

Rohit leaned back in his chair, the towel around his waist loosening. With a dark glint in his eyes, he slowly pulled it open, revealing his thick, semi-hard cock.

"Look what you do to me, Mom," he said, his voice low and husky as he slowly stroked himself once. "Just seeing you like this... and I’m already this hard."

Ragini’s eyes widened.

"Rohit!" she scolded, her voice sharp but slightly breathless. "What do you think you’re doing? Put that away right now!"

But she didn’t hang up. Her gaze flicked down for a brief moment before she quickly looked away, cheeks flushing.

Rohit smirked, still slowly stroking. "Come on... don’t be like that. You’ve seen it before. Just show me a little something too. Let me see that beautiful cleavage. Just for a second."

Ragini’s face burned red. She clutched the edge of her saree tighter. "You’ve become completely shameless," she muttered, though her voice lacked real anger.

After a few seconds of hesitation, she adjusted her pallu slightly, pulling it lower to reveal more of her deep, supple cleavage.

"Happy now?" she said, trying to sound stern, but her breathing had grown heavier.

"Very happy," Rohit murmured, eyes locked on her breasts. "You have no idea how much I want you right now..."

He rested his chin on his hand, his stare turning more intense. "That saree is doing dangerous things to me, Mom. Makes me want to rip it off and remind you exactly who you belong to."

A soft laugh escaped her. "There it is. You’ve become much bolder lately."

"Maybe," Rohit replied, his gaze softening. "Or maybe I’m just missing someone."

For a brief moment, Ragini’s expression filled with emotions. Then she quickly looked away and resumed adjusting her hair.

"Enough of that," she said, changing the subject. "We’re heading to Somnath Temple soon."

"Today?"

She nodded. "My sisters insisted."

"Sounds nice." Rohit sighed dramatically. "Meanwhile, I’m stuck here suffering."

"Suffering?" Ragini laughed.

"Of course." He gestured at the screen with mock despair. "You’re traveling across Gujarat while I’m trapped on video calls with the most beautiful woman I know."

Ragini shook her head, smiling despite herself. For a few comfortable minutes, they simply talked — nothing important, nothing urgent.

Eventually, she spoke something worth significant.

"My younger sister was asking about you."

Rohit immediately groaned. "That sounds dangerous."

"She thinks you’re very charming."

"See? Dangerous," he replied with a smirk.

Ragini gave him a warning look. "Don’t start."

"I’m innocent."

"You’re many things, Rohit," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Innocent is not one of them."

Rohit clutched his chest dramatically. "Ouch. That one actually hurts." Then his grin returned. "Aren’t you being a little cruel? Keeping two potential lovebirds apart?" He tilted his head playfully. "Or are you jealous already?"

"Rohit." Ragini’s expression turned serious. "This is not a joke." Her voice softened, but the concern remained. "They’re family. The last thing I want is for any of them to get entangled in our mess."

Rohit immediately raised both hands in surrender. "Sorry, sorry. That was a bad joke."

His expression softened as he looked at her.

"You know you’re the only woman I truly desire," he said, his voice low and sincere. "The rest are meaningless to me."

Ragini seemed to calm down slightly. She looked away for a moment, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, before speaking again, her voice much quieter. "But Rohit... in the long run, this cannot continue."

She paused, choosing her words carefully. "I do like what we have right now, but eventually... you’ll have to find a girl and move on with your life."

Rohit rolled his eyes, though his expression quickly turned gloomier. "Alright... alright. Not that talk again."

He sighed, leaning closer to the screen. "But it’s just that I’ve been missing you so much. I really don’t know how I’m going to survive a whole month without you."

His eyes met hers through the camera, sincere and intense. "And honestly, the reason I want to come there is because I want to meet your people. I want to see the place where you were born and grew up." He smiled faintly. "Please, Mom... Can’t you make it happen?"

Ragini’s heart softened visibly. She let out a long breath.

"I understand, Rohit... but what you’re asking isn’t possible right now."

She shook her head gently. "Your studies have already taken a hit and—"

"Wait, wait." Rohit raised a hand, interrupting her. "I promise there won’t be any issue with my studies. Everything is going quite well."

Ragini’s expression fell. "Rohit... you’re not a god." She sighed. "Or are you trying to tell me you’ve suddenly regained all your memories?"

She leaned back slightly, her voice turning more serious.

"Besides, it’s not only about your studies. Even if I somehow managed to get you a ticket for a day or two, I wouldn’t be able to give you any time. There’s a different kind of politics going on here. The entire Shekhawat clan will be gathering next month for estate matters, and I’m helping my father prepare for it."

Rohit paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Wait... What if I clear my pre-exams next month? Can I attend that clan gathering event you’re talking about?"

Ragini exhaled slowly. "We’ll see about that."

She changed the topic smoothly. "For now, tell me — how are you doing? Are you taking care of your health?"

Rohit smiled. "Yeah. No mishaps on that front."

Then his expression gradually became serious.

"But seriously, Mom... are you really okay with me having a girlfriend despite the special relationship we have?"

Ragini’s posture stiffened immediately. A flash of alarm crossed her face before she quickly masked it.

"Why?" she asked, adjusting her posture. "Do you already have someone in mind?"

Rohit noticed the frown but chose to ignore it.

"There are a few people showing clear interest. But honestly, I treat them as friends. I’m not particularly drawn to anyone right now." He paused. "If anything, I’m more confused about whether pursuing something would even be worth the complications."

He glanced away briefly as if recalling something.

"Actually — when I met Riya recently, she was quite skeptical about my friendship with one of the girls. Said being a Singhania comes with responsibilities. That I should be careful about who I get close to."

He shrugged. "I found it a little strange coming from her. I noticed some photos from her college days — she seemed quite close to someone back then. Yet she ended up married to someone else entirely." He looked back at the screen. "I honestly don’t know what to make of her."

The lightness left Ragini’s expression.

She was quiet for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice had dropped into something more careful.

"Rohit... I won’t hide this from you." She met the camera directly. "She is unstable. Don’t get involved with her."

Rohit asked, keeping his face neutral. "And what is wrong with her? "

Ragini pressed her lips together, hesitating before answering.

"She had a difficult past... and I suspect Raj had a hand in it." Her voice softened with old pain. "Back then, I even sympathized with her."

Her gaze drifted away, lost in memory. "I still remember that day."

Rohit’s attention sharpened instantly.

"She confronted Raj openly in front of everyone. Not behind his back. Nor in whispers." Ragini shook her head slowly. "She stood there and swore she would destroy the Singhanias herself."

A heavy silence settled between them.

"She even threatened Arya."

Rohit’s eyebrows rose. "Threatened her?"

Ragini nodded.

"She said Arya would pay one day for choosing to follow a man like Raj."

Rohit leaned forward slightly, genuinely surprised by the revelation, yet he remained silent, absorbing every detail.

Ragini’s expression grew more complicated as she continued.

"But after her marriage... everything changed."

"She apologized."

Rohit frowned. "To whom? Everyone?"

"More or less." Ragini gave a faint, complicated smile. "And that is exactly what troubles me."

She looked directly into the camera.

"I raised her, Rohit. I watched her grow from a child. I know how she thinks... what her face looks like when she truly means what she says."

Her fingers tightened against the edge of the dressing table.

"Those eyes when she apologized—" She stopped and shook her head. "Those were not the eyes of someone who had let anything go."

A small frown appeared on Rohit’s face. "Is that why Arya and Riya don’t get along?"

"No." Ragini answered immediately. "That started after my accident."

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Rohit’s expression turned serious.

Ragini lowered her eyes.

"During the days surrounding my accident, several strange things happened."

"What kind of things?"

"I didn’t receive certain phone calls that should have reached me." Her voice grew quieter. "Some of my medicines and prescriptions also went missing."

Rohit felt something cold settle in his chest.

"Arya noticed," Ragini said. "She accused Riya. Said it was deliberate."

"What did you think?"

"I dismissed it completely," Ragini admitted, her voice heavy. "I thought Arya was grieving... "

Her jaw tightened.

"I told her she was wrong. My Riya can’t be like this..."

Her eyes dropped to her hands.

"But now, when I think back on it carefully — the timing, the specific things that went missing—" She stopped. "The possibility frightens me. More than I expected it to."

Rohit’s mind raced. He remembered fragments of a confrontation — Arya returning furious from vacation that day. Had she discovered something no one else had noticed?

Unfortunately, asking directly would only expose the fake story of his memory loss. So he remained silent.

On the other side of the screen, Ragini seemed lost in her own thoughts.

"I feel guilty sometimes," she admitted quietly.

Rohit looked at her. "Guilty?"

She nodded slowly.

"I raised her like my own daughter. I watched her grow up... and yet I couldn’t help her."

A long, weary breath escaped her lips.

"Whatever happened to her... whatever made her become this way... I failed to fix it."

For a moment, she no longer looked like the powerful, composed woman the world respected. She looked like a mother carrying years of quiet regret.

Rohit clicked his tongue.

"Come on, darling," he said gently. "Don’t do that to yourself. Whatever happened wasn’t your fault."

She remained silent.

"You didn’t choose it." He pointed lightly toward the screen. "And neither did I."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"At the end of the day, people make their own choices."

Ragini stared at him for several seconds. Then she slowly nodded.

"Yes..." Her voice trembled slightly. "You’re right, my son."

Rohit grinned.

"That’s my Iron Lady."

The corner of her lips twitched upward.

"I like you much more when you’re strong."

Ragini laughed despite herself.

"Stop it. You’ve become impossible."

Rohit chuckled.

"Maybe."

Then, with the deliberate casualness of someone who had been waiting for exactly this moment:

"Oh, by the way..."

Ragini looked up. "Hm?"

"I found some old medicine packaging while going through some things here. The label had a doctor’s name on it." He kept his voice entirely even. "Someone called Doctor Adityanath."

He watched her face carefully.

"Did he happen to be your doctor?"

The color drained from Ragini’s face.

Silence.

And for the first time since the call began, genuine alarm appeared in her eyes.